Great Lakes Brewing Co. expands to Massachusetts, Rhode Island

• GLBC expanded to New York City last year.

Driving the news: The announcement arrives in conjunction with the seasonal release of GLBC's Oktoberfest.

• New England customers will be able to buy Oktoberfest and Midwest IPA in cans and on draft, and Juicy Vibacious Double IPA and Strawberry Pineapple Wheat in cans.

What they're saying: "Great Lakes has had a steady presence in Pennsylvania and New York for dozens of years," interim co-CEO Chris Brown said in a statement.

• "It was high time we gave the citizens of Massachusetts the chance to drink Great Lakes."

Between the lines: GLBC said in a press release that the grocery store chain Wegmans, which operates five stores in Massachusetts, was a "driving force" in the decision.